Download PDF Web Design: The Complete Reference Second Edition by Thomas Powell

Sinopsis

Most discussions of Web design get off track in short order, because what people mean by the expression varies so dramatically. While everyone has some sense of what Web design is, few seem able to define it exactly. Certain components, such as graphic design or programming, are a part of any discussion, but their importance in the construction of sites varies from person to person and from site to site. Some consider the creation and organization of content or, more formally, the information architecture—as the most important aspect of Web design. Other factors ease of use, the value and function of the site within an organization’s overall operations, and site delivery, among many others remain firmly within the realm of Web design. With influences from library science, graphic design, programming, networking, user interface design, usability, and a variety of other sources, Web design is truly a multidisciplinary field.

Defining Web Design
There are five areas that cover the major facets of Web design:
 

• Content This includes the form and organization of a site’s content. This can range from the way text is written to how it is organized, presented, and structured using a markup technology such as HTML.
• Visuals This refers to the screen layout used in a site. The layout is usually created using HTML, CSS, or even Flash and may include graphic elements either as decoration or for navigation. The visual aspect of the site is the most obvious aspect of Web design, but it is not the sole, or most important, aspect of the discipline.
• Technology While the use of various core Web technologies such as HTML or CSS fall into this category, technology in this context more commonly refers to the various interactive elements of a site, particularly those built using programming techniques. Such elements range from client-side scripting languages like JavaScript to server-side applications such as Java servlets.
• Delivery The speed and reliability of a site’s delivery over the Internet or an internal corporate network are related to the server hardware/software used and to the network architecture employed.
• Purpose The reason the site exists, often related to an economic issue, is arguably the most important part of Web design. This element should be considered in all decisions involving the other areas.

Content

1.  Foundation
2. What Is Web Design?
3. User-Centered Design
4. The Web Medium
5. The Web Design Process 
6. Evaluating Web Sites 
7. Site Organization and Navigation
8.  Site Types and Architectures 
9. Navigation Theory
10. Basic Navigation Practices
11. Search
12. Site Maps and Other Navigational Aids
13. Elements of Page Design
14. Pages and Layout
15. Text
16. Color
17. Images
18. GUI Widgets and Forms
19. Technology and Web Design
20. Web Technology Best Practices
21. Site Delivery and Management

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